Commonwealth Games: Hampden can spur Eilidh Child

LISA GRAY

AS a football fan, Eilidh Child knows how important the backing of a vocal and supportive crowd can be when it comes to inspiring victory.

And the Scottish 400 metres hurdler is hoping a packed Hampden can spur her on to great success at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year.

The national stadium will play host to the track and field events and, having had a taste of a home Games at the London Olympics last year, Child believes those in the stands have a big role to play in 2014.

With one year to go until the Commonwealth Games come to Glasgow, Child said: “I’ve only ever been to Hampden to see Hearts and Scotland and the atmosphere was always brilliant. I just hope it can be replicated when it comes to the Glasgow Games and I’m sure it will be.

“Especially in my event, when you’re coming down that home straight and you’re feeling a little bit tired, just to have that roar behind you can really spur you on.

“It helps to get you motivated. I had that in London as well and I think it will make a big difference in Glasgow too.”

Child is well aware of the higher expectations facing Team Scotland to succeed at a home Games but she feels the extra pressure should be embraced, rather than feared.

She added: “There is going to be a lot of pressure because we are home athletes. I got silver in Delhi (in 2010) and I’ll be expected to be contending for a medal here as well. There is added pressure but as athletes, and sportsmen and women, you get used to it. It’s just about controlling it and embracing it.

“You’re never going to get this opportunity again [at a home Games] so you just have to enjoy it and take it all in and just try to perform your heart out.

“Hopefully that’s what will happen and that’s what I’ll do.”

Having taken silver three years ago, Child is hoping for the top prize in Glasgow.

She said: “I’d love to go one better. You just don’t know who’s going to be here and who’s going to be running what times; you can only do what you can do.

“But if I can step on that track and know I’ve left it all on the track when I step off – and it’s good enough to get a gold – then brilliant.

“If not, you can only do your best. I’ll be fighting for it and it’s going to take a lot for someone to take it away from me.”

Edinburgh has hosted the Games twice but 2014 will be the first time for Glasgow.

Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Michael Cavanagh said: “We selected Glasgow way back in 2004 to go forward to try to win the Games on the basis that it already was a sporting city then.

“I think since then, it has just shown its pedigree. We knew Glasgow was the kind of city that would be great for the Commonwealth Games.

“The city is the perfect size, the people are fantastic and will really embrace the Games.”

He added: “We wanted to bring the Games here to motivate people and inspire people.

“I was inspired by the Commonwealth Games when I was 12 in 1970.

“It inspired me to work really hard in my sport (wrestling) and I’m hoping the same thing happens with these Games and I’ve no reason to believe that it won’t.

“Everybody has seen the Andy Murray factor in the last few weeks. Multiply that by 17 sports next year and it could be pretty remarkable.”